Distillation and like column



lune 2, 1931. A, KUHNV 1,808,666

\ v DISTILLATION AND LIKE COLUMN Filed Dec. 1, .1926

r i A.:

-Patented June 2, 1931 -l-.UNl'TED STATES` REGKLINGHAUSEN,(.'1rE7RMA1\1'Y,v ASSIG'NOB TO THE FIIRJM;` CARL STILL, F.RECKLINGHAUSEN, GERMANY .ARTHUR KUHN, OF

PATENT ori-VICE DISTIILATION AND LIKE COLUMN Application led December 1,1926, Serial No. 151,998, 'and in Germany July 16,' 1926.

This invention relates to distillation andlike columns and moreparticularly to an improved construction employed in mounting andsecuring the vapor distributing hoods on i; the trays or bottom platesof such columns.

These columns are preferably constructed of superposed sections eachembodying one or a pair of trays or bottom plates which support aplurality of vapor distributing hoods,

1o and heretofore it has been customary -to secure the hoods to thetrays by bolting or in some instances by fused metaljoints which Inecessitated a rather troublesome process for their removal. It is,therefore, one of the essential'objects of this invention to obviate thedifliculties encountered in previous constructions and to provide meanswhich permits the ready insertion and removal of each vapor distributinghood.

Another and very important object is the arrangement of the respectivesections and the construction of the vapor passage collars so as topermit the ready insertion and withdrawal of said hoods each radially'of the axis ofthe section.

A further object of the invention which is made possible by myarrangement of lthe vapor distributing hood is the provision of meanswhich insures a uniform distribution of the liquid over the trays of thecolumn which means is particularly effective in columns utilized for thedistillation of ammonia liquor, of benzol and other hydrocarbons, and inwashingl impure gases. It is also particularly advantageous where thereis any deposition of solid materials upon the trays of the columns. e

Further objects of the invention will appear as the following specificdescription is read in connection with the accompanying drawings whichforms a part of this application, and in which: v

Figure 1 is a vertical axial section, taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2. 4

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken on the'line 2-2 of Figure I1.

As each section ofthe plurality of sections employed in producing acomplete dis` lio tillation column is identical, the illustration.bevelled under face.

arranged adjacent its base and a similar but narrower liange a:approximately midway of its height. Theseflanges, as showmsu'pport thetrays b and b each of which have arranged radially around' the verticalaxis thereof the vapor passages c2. These collars are integral with thetray and each extends vertically and is substantially trapezoidal inplan. The collars in addition to being formed integral upstanding vaporcollar c, c which define the i with the trays are connected to suchtrays by Webs n, n having inclined upper surfaces forming ramps, thepurpose of which will be described hereinafter.

The tray b is provided in its center with a collar' e defining anoverflow passage and this collarextends both above and below the i traysas clearly shown in Figure 1. lt is provided at its upper end with anannular outwardly extending flange g which is bevelled upon its underface as shown. A'similarly formed liange g is arranged at the bottom endi of the collar e also being provided with a As shown in Figure 1 thetray ZJ is provided with a plurality of overinw pipes e which arearranged in plan view adjacent the periphery of the body a and betweenadjoining vapor passages c?. The upper ends of each of these pipesextend to a height approximately level with the upper end of the collarsc--o, while the lower end of the pipe extends downwardv 1y to asuiiicient distance' to project below the upper edge of the collar e onthe section next below in the column,l and the lower'end of the pipe Aemay be of suchl'hgth as to bring it within close roximity'of the tray bin the Vnext' lower sectlon of the column.

In Figure 2 the sectioned circles indicated at e2 represent the lowerends of the pipes e in the next above section of the column.

Each of the collars 0-0 have resting thereon and covering the same avapor distributing hood, and as all of these hoods are identical, adescription of one'will be suiiicient. It is to be also understood thatI may employ as many hoods and vapor passages as is found desirable. Inthe present instance the arrangement shown permits of the use of six oneach tray.

As shown in Figure 2 the hoods which are indicated at d-d on therespective trays b--b are substantially trapezoidal in plan with theirdepending walls Z2 substantially parallel with the vertical walls of thecollars 0 0. Each hood is provided with a pair of internally arrangedflanges i extending across the same and connected to the top anddepending side walls of the hood so as to form in eect supporting feetfor the hood. These anges i rest upon the upper edges of the collars c-cand space the top of the hood from such collars a predetermineddistance.

The forward end of each hood is provided with an extension which I haveindicated at L-L and is adapted to engage beneath the flanges g-g.

The opposite end of the hood, that is, that end adjacent the peripheryof the column is provided with an extension c-c on the re spective hoodsd-d, which is preferably made in the form of a handle, that is, providedwith a finger opening k2 which permits the operator to handle the hoodconveniently. These latter extensions s-k engage under lugs or internalprojections m formed on the `doors or cover plates f so that when suchcover plates are secured in position each hood will be locked inposition on its collar c or c', the extensions h and k and h and labeing beneath the flanges g-g and lugs m, respectively. A When it isdesired to insert a hood in position, the same is pushed through theopening 1 and the extension or h will ride upon the outer ramp n, andthen over the upper edge of the collar 0 until it reaches the innerportion thereof when it rides down the ramp n and under the iange g org. When the door f is secured in position over the opening 7*,

the lug m will rest upon the top of the extension 7c or le thus securingthe hood in proper position over the vapor passage. The removal ofanyone of the hoods is just in reverse order, the inner extensionridingfirst over the ramp 'n' and then over the collar of the vapor passageand down the ramp n, the

iinger opening k2 in the extension la or lc facilitating the insertionand removal of such hood. c

In order that liquid travelhng over the ,6; trays in either directionmay be uniformly distributed and be eiectively subjected to the vaporentering under and issuing from beneath the depending sides of thehoods, I rovide V-shaped deiiector plates s arrange between adjoininghoods and partially surrounding the depending lower ends of the overflowpipes e. These plates s have their apices directed toward the axis ofthe column, and it will be seen from an inspection of the drawings thatliquor passing from the lower end of the collar or tube e will flowtoward the overflow or outlet pipe e and be brought into contact withthe divergent walls of the deilector plates s and carried towardadjoining hoods. Liquor overflowing through pipe e onto tray o will bedeflected by the surfaces Y of the deector plates s toward the hood in alike manner. It will be, therefore, seen that liquor flowing in eitherdirection from the overflow pipe e outwardly or from the overflow pipe einwardly toward the axis will be directed toward the walls of adjoininghoods. This produces an even distribution of the liquid on all trays andsubjects substantially all liquid to the action of theivapor enteringunder and issuing from beneath the depending side walls of the hoods. Itis believed that it will be well understood from an inspection of thedrawings that the distributing plates s on the tray b are arrangedclosely adjacent and partially surround the upper end of the overow pipee which is carriedby the tray b, while the distributing plates s on thetray b are arranged so that the depending lower ends of the respectiveoverflow pipes of the next upper tray will be disposed closely adjacentthereto andpar# tially surrounded by the plates s'.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a very simplemethod of mounting and securing the respective vapor hoods which permitstheir ready insertion and removal, and also a construction whicheffectively secures the hoods in position without the employment ofbolts or other securing means which involve considerable trouble. Itwill also be seen that by the arrangement of liquor distribution and themethod of securing the hoods with the radial open ings for theirinsertion and removal that cleaning of the various trays in the columnis made comparatively easy.

While I have shown and described trapezoidal collars o-c and hoods Z-dconform` ing thereto it will be clearly understood that the hoods andcollars may be rectangular in outline or in fact any other shape withoutvdeparting from the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a column for distillation and like purposes, a tray bearing anoverflow element and a vapor collar, a hood arranged in position overthe lcollar, andmeans, a art of which is on said element, for holdingthe hood in position.I

distribution 2. In a column for distillatin and like purposes, a trabearing an overflow element and a vapor co ar, a hood arranged 1n posi-Qtion over the collar, and means, a part of which is formed integral withsaidelement for holding the hoodA in position. 'r

3. In a column for distillation y and like purposes, a tra -bearing anoverflowv element and a vapor co ar, 'a hood ar tion over the collar,and means includingal flange on said element for holding the hood inposition.

4. In a column` for distillation and like purposes, a tra bearing anoverflow element and a vapor co ar,'a hood arranged in position over thecollar, a iange on said element having a beveled under face, and meansserving to hold a rtion of the hood under the iiange and sai hood inosition".

5. In .a column for 'stillation and like purposes, a (ylindrical bodyhaving an openlng in its si e, a tray mounted in said body and' havingoverflow and vapor assage ele@ ments, a hood positioned over t e lastelement means for closing said opening' and means includin parts on theclosin means and overflow e ement for holding t e hood l mposition.

6. In a 4column for distillation and like purposes, a. lindrical'bodyhaving an openlng 1n its s1 e, a tray mounted in said body and having anelement dening a vapor sage therethrough,` a hood insertable throughsaid opening and positionedover said passage, and means facilitating theinsertion and removal and the proper positioning of f said hood ove1said passage, means for closing said o enmg, an overiow element, andlmeans earned by said closinglme ans and overflow .elenfent for securingt e hood in' posit" testimony whereof I aix my si i' ature.

d in posi-

